Always gesso or no? - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists (2024)

Cadfaeltex

Just watched a video from Clive5 on YouTube. He suggests always putting down a layer of gesso even on “pre-primed media”. I haven’t been doing this and have seen some sources online going each way. Searched but my google-fu failed me.

How many of you always gesso first on all media?

PaintBoss

I haven’t in earnest, but think I will in the future. I have also read many do this. Bought some gesso. I think it will smooth out the rough tooth on my store bought thinly primed canvas. Get more glide, flowing brush work. It is surprisingly “dry” and rough otherwise. I did try it for a tiny canvas 3X3 inches, and I must say, it was a better and easier experience getting the coloured layers down. It definitely helped with application.

~Christine
🇨🇦

RLK1189

I never do. I think it depends on what kind of canvas you are using. I’ve used cheaper canvases that seem really rough and way too absorbent, and in that case it probably would be beneficial to gesso. But when using a quality pre-primed canvas, I guess I’ve never felt the need to.

Rochelle

contumacious

I prefer coating acrylic gesso pre-primed canvas and panels with matte acrylic medium, both for painting in acrylics and oils. I find them way too absorbent otherwise.

gaykir

I’m with Rochelle on this one. I use good quality primed canvas with not problem. Occasionally for certain portraits I will add more gesso.

http://gaylekirbyart.blogspot.com/

Cadfaeltex

So a couple of votes for no on a good quality canvas. What are those?

maryinasia

the only time I gesso-ed (and maybe it was with white paint) was 30 plus years ago in college when we made our own canvases

vhere

not usually unless using texture paste

tiago.dagostini

Depends what texture you like. I used to like it very smooth.. so I primed , sanded then primed then sanded then primed then sanded….

nowadays I prefer to see some texture.. so I make a LIGHT priming with no sanding.

Dorrart

You don’t need to with acrylics, but with oils you should always prime the surface. As for have I done it, yes many times, for less tooth and smoother surface mainly, I’ll add color to it for my background color sometimes, like a red or sienna. I do not do it every time.

~JMW~

If surface is quite textured or rough or lower quality.., gesso added is very helpful.

You can also use pre tinting or underpainting to cover up all the white to help smooth & add to the base coat for better blending & coverage..

~Joy~